Men's basketball: CU Buffs' Andre Roberson has look of leader

CU eyes win at Oregon State

CU's Andre Roberson (21) is taking on a leadership role with the Buffs.
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CLIFF GRASSMICK
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CORVALLIS, Ore. -- Andre Roberson hasn't decided if this is his last season roaming with the Buffs.

The nation's leading rebounder could declare for the NBA draft this spring or return to Colorado to use his final year of eligibility.

During CU's 48-47 victory over No. 19 Oregon on Thursday, Roberson had the look of a determined senior.

"Andre's leadership on the court against Oregon was something I had not seen from him," head coach Tad Boyle said. "For example, he was talking to Josh Scott and being positive with Josh. He was being a leader and you could see it."

Scott, Askia Booker and other young Buffs were struggling offensively against the Ducks.

Roberson finished CU's 8-0 run to close the game with a pair of clutch rebound baskets to deliver the program's first victory in Eugene since 1955.

"We were hanging around the whole game and we hadn't taken the lead even once until the end," said Roberson, the only Buff in double figures scoring (10 points) or rebounding (13) in the road breakthrough. "I felt like the guys were competing and we just weren't getting over the hump. I took it upon myself to play with that extra energy and kind of will this team to the win."

Roberson's focus has now shifted to making sure the Buffs (15-7, 5-5) do what it takes to fly back to Boulder with another win over Oregon State Sunday night at Gill Coliseum (7 p.m., Pac-12 Network).

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"Going on this road trip and splitting it with a loss to a last-place team in the Pac-12 doesn't really look that good after the Oregon game," Roberson said. "We have to go out and compete the way we did on Thursday. If we do that we'll be all right."

The Beavers (12-11, 2-8) have a dangerous lineup coming off a much-needed 82-64 victory on Wednesday against Utah.

Eric Moreland (10.7 rpg), who is second to Roberson (11.6 rpg) in rebounding among Pac-12 players, has been coming off Craig Robinson's bench of late.

Point guard Ahmad Starks (11.9 ppg) and forward Devon Collier (13.8 ppg, 6.5 rpg) are in their third seasons starting for Oregon State.

Joe Burton, the Beavers' skilled 6-7 senior center, has averaged 16.0 points, 8.3 rebounds and 7.7 assists over the last three games.

"I think our players understand what is at stake and the challenge at hand," Boyle said. "You cannot look at their record because it is no way indicative of the kind of talent they have."

Boyle's roster is also loaded with physically gifted players, but CU shot just 36.5 percent from the field and 60.0 percent at the free throw line against Oregon.

The coaching staff made sure the Buffs spent the bulk of practices on Friday and Saturday getting as many shots up as possible.

"I think if we can just continue to play the defense, the offense will come eventually," said Booker, who was 3-for-13 shooting against the Ducks. "I think the win on Thursday gives us a lot of confidence."

This is the perfect scenario for the Beavers to be the ones setting a trap.

Boyle is hoping Roberson's leadership will help the Buffs embark on another memorable late-season run.

"I thought there was a look in his eye, there was a determination, an energy that I hadn't seen before," Boyle said of Roberson's performance in the final minutes against Oregon. "It reminds me of what I saw in Carlon (Brown) and Nate (Tomlinson) and Austin (Dufault) at the end of last year."

Follow Ryan on Twitter: @RyanThorburn

CU men's hoops preview

SUNDAY: The Colorado Buffaloes (15-7, 5-5) play their third consecutive road game against the Oregon State Beavers (12-11, 2-8) at 7 p.m. at Gill Coliseum.

BROADCAST: Television on the Pac-12 Network with JB Long (play-by-play) and Lamar Hurd (analyst). Radio on KOA (850 AM) with Mark Johnson (play-by-play) and Chad Brown (color). Follow on Twitter: @RyanThorburn.

CU STORY LINES: The Buffs followed up the disappointing 58-55 loss at Utah with a 48-47 upset of No. 19 Oregon on Thursday in Eugene. ... Andre Roberson had 10 points, including the game-winning basket, and 13 rebounds against the Ducks. He leads the nation in rebounding at 11.7 per game. ... The Buffs are looking to break out of an offensive funk after shooting just 36.5 percent against Oregon and becoming the first CU team to win a game scoring less than 50 points in the shot clock era.

OREGON STATE STORY LINES: The Beavers snapped a three-game losing streak with an 82-64 home win over Utah on Wednesday. ... Oregon State leads the Pac-12 in 3-point shooting (.367), is second in assists (15.6 apg) and third in scoring (74.3 ppg) and field goal percentage (.457). ... Joe Burton has averaged 16.0 points, 8.3 rebounds and 7.7 assists over the last three games. Gary Payton is still the only player to record a triple-double for the Beavers. ... Eric Moreland is second to Roberson in the Pac-12 and 10th nationally in rebounding (10.7 rpg).

KEY STAT: CU had not won in Eugene since Dec. 4, 1955. The Buffs have not won in Corvallis since Dec. 3, 1955.

COACHES: Boyle is 63-33 in his third season at CU. Craig Robinson is 76-82 in his fifth season at Oregon State.

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